Is My Child Too Much of a Perfectionist? — Test

This test covers perfectionism, personal standards, failure, anxiety, rumination, checking, comparison, self-esteem, recognition, pleasure, control, frustration, time and readiness to change. What the test asks, for example Perfectionism If your child redoes their work several times because they do not consider it good enough, even when the result is objectively correct. If your child readily accepts doing things 'roughly' or 'well enough' when the situation allows it. Personal standards If your child sets very strict rules about how things 'must' be done. If your child finishes homework in the expected time, without trying to make it perfect. Failure If your child erases and starts an exercise over several times rather than leave a visible mistake. If your child takes a mistake made in public lightly, without being affected by it. Anxiety If your child hesitates to start a piece of work for fear of getting it wrong from the outset. If your child tries to avoid any situation where they might make a mistake in front of others. Rumination If your child dwells on their mistakes for a long time, even after being shown how to improve. If your child stays preoccupied by what they could have done better, even after a success. Checking If your child asks for confirmation that they have not made a mistake before handing in their work. If your child hands in their work without checking it again, even when a mistake is still possible. Comparison If your child situates their results against the class average — not against the best performances. If your child perceives others' work as superior to their own, even when that is not the case. Self-esteem If your child cannot feel proud of themselves even when the results are objectively good. If your child spontaneously recognizes that they have done something well — they do not wait for outside feedback. Recognition If your child says their work is 'not good' even when their teacher or a parent has praised it. If your child is dissatisfied with themselves even when the adults around them congratulate them. Pleasure If your child rarely takes pleasure in what they do because their standards always seem out of reach. If your child is satisfied with their drawings, texts, or creations — they keep them and share them. Control If your child does not delegate and prefers to do everything themselves to make sure it is 'done properly'. If your child tidies, organizes, or prepares their things according to a very precise order that cannot be disrupted. Frustration If your child gets upset or cries if their organization or way of doing things is changed. If your child is unsettled by unexpected events or changes of plan, even minor ones. Time If your child only considers their work finished when it is perfect — which extends the duration of tasks. If your child can stop in the middle of a task and pick it up later without it costing them. Readiness to change If your child's perfectionism has a real impact on their wellbeing or your family life right now. If you want to help your child find a balance between high standards and kindness towards themselves.